STAND. COM. REP. NO. 703

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 852

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 852, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RESTITUTION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify that restitution payments to crime victims may include reimbursements for mental health treatment, counseling, therapy, and lost earnings.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Hawaii Psychological Association.

Your Committee finds that because ambiguity exists regarding what specific losses by crime victims are reimbursable, reimbursement payments to these victims can be significantly delayed.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 852, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 852, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair